New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1887-06-12
DEMOCRATIC DIRT IN THE POST OFFICE
A SAD CONTRAST TO FORMER cLEANIINEss-coM-
PLANTS OF OCCUPANTS

A SAD CONTRAST TO FORMER CLEANllNESS-COM-
PLANTS OF OCCUPANTS.
The varied forms of IN cleanliness which diversity
the scenery IL the United States Post and Court
Building have yielded in particulars within the
last few weeks the brush and cloth OF the cleaner,
preparatory. presumably TO the visit OF representa-
tive OF the Treasury Department, who came TO TINS
city recently inquire rs to the need tor an extra
APPROXIMATION of $1,000 asked for by Custodian
Fryer In spite this scratching OF the surface tho
mass of the dirt which has made the Federal Buldlng
An unpleasant place to occnpy or visit Tor the last Two
wears is undsturbed. The tie-covcre1 floors OF the
corridors are dscolored from insufficient scrnObng,
aud the walls and many of tho windows and chan
deliers are grimy with the accumulated dust OF
months and sometimes apparently OF years Inc
opinion Of tho occupants OF tho building, except
Custodian Fryer, il practically unanimous in con
demning the manner in which the place Is at present
cared or or to "A large degree neglected.
: Custodian Fryer, when asked by a TRIBUNE re-
vorter whether he wished to make any statement
resuecng the criticisms OF occupants OF the Dudug,
said that he did not believe that any one VINO had
Offices there executing one official twho deciHeu To
sav ANYTHING TO tho reporter the subject had any
fault TO find An investigation showed that he was
not we'll informed as to the sentiments OF the occu
PANTS No one even minated that be thought the
building well cared hr. Fryer Is apt to be con-
trolled by personal feelings and has power to annoy
officials in small matters that they were unwilling
70 have their names mentioned. Some OF the express
sions used by various officials arc;
The building fairly Ieeks at times
Ono can notice unpleasant odor imnedldteiy
coming INTO tho Oulluhs' IL Is eAAo"''J ""
healthy" r,,-, :. ..
erected end never knew it to be "a dirty as II mas
been lately"
Look M those walls and You sec plainly where
the cloth OF the cleaner reaches when 1t Is drawn
across the walls. All above those lines IL dark with
The bnilding was well kept under Custodian Nc
Aiee but lately it has been In wretched CONDITION.
MFR. Fryer said that the windows we're clean Not
6tv feet from the place he stood and fronting
ON the stairs near his door a window in con-
ditol BETTING ony the lighting place ot an unused
cellar. Both tho upper and lower panes were gflhY'
The lower pane had vide fringe OF dit at the top
which was nearly black. The window sill was
covered with thick layer of dust. The window is in
ITS condition only fair sample OF a dozen others
viii are prom noni before the eyes OF visitors to the
building. The windows in many OF the o.ces have
| no; been cleaned Tor mouths The globes about the
gasfxtures are Of varied cOlOs, duo to the various
Gegreos ia which the dust accumulatcs The iron
-teps of the stairs stained with mud. The hocrs
of tho corridors mopped mp ut stated times, but
scrnbbines with soap and brush. such as we're ire
ouent under other custodians are seldom employed.
! lhe wooden rails along the Walls are eo'ereu WIN
dust
Mr. FRYER refused to give information as to tho cost
Of keeping the building In its present condition.
From other sources 1t was learned that no employs
| eight mon and five women rs cleaners Ihe women
| are usually faithful. They sweep and dust the
offices The supposed TO clean the corridors,
! windows etc. They appointed under the
| present Democratic Administration TO replace the
| framed men who worked under Custodian McAfee.
| MIR Fryer is - brother inaw OF ex-Necrctary Man
| ming aud holds the position OF superintendent OF
| ,epairs of United States buildings. He spenos much
! time In Washington. The custodian Is appointed
| from among the United Statos officials, and tho
position il uaIly honorary the assistant custodian
attending To al tue de tails OF the business Custodian
| FRYER however, as IA ho Vas appointed took
| awav from Assistant Custodian james Conn, who
had won the favor OF many OF the Federal officials the
! entire management oil the building. lie removed
some of Mr.. Conlin's appointees and reduced that
| official To merely nominal control. The entire
accountability OF tho unolraniness OF which constant
! compaint has been made since his appointment rests
with Mr. Fryer
Mr.. Fryer said that the $4,000 was wanted IN order
that the walls might be wiped down. He said they
had not been cleaned since the build ng was erected.
a Government empluve who has been familiar Win
the condition Of the building since IT was opened, says
| that the walls OF many OF the rooms were carefully
| wipsd on at times under previous custodans. lie
! number of men, 1t was said. employed ny the
,dian was sufficient to cleanliness through
ont the building If they we're carefully directed as 10
their duties and supervision was closely eX rcsed.